How I Created My Own Minimalist Wardrobe

A “minimalist wardrobe”. The concept is fairly simple—pick several “key colors” for your wardrobe, figure out what you like to wear and what fits with your lifestyle—and pare your wardrobe down to include those elements!

Several months ago, I decided it was time to drastically change my wardrobe. I had lots of clothes that I liked individually, but nothing seemed to go together. It took too much thinking to put together simple outfits. I had lots of clothes that just “worked”, were “tolerable” or “sufficed”, but no outfit that I really loved. I wanted a smaller wardrobe, with every piece being an absolute favorite.

I decided to try out the concept of a “Minimalist Wardrobe”.

To start things off, I picked a couple of neutral colors and two “fun” colors. My fun colors are colors that look good on me and I really enjoy wearing over and over. For me, the neutrals are black, gray and denim. The fun colors are colors in the turquoise and teal family, and lavender. I also included white and cream in my color selections.

Next, I went through my entire wardrobe and pulled out everything that did not fit me or fit into this color scheme. I did “cheat” just a little and keep a couple pieces that I really did love but that were not in the new set of colors. I liked the ideas of Minimalist Dressing but didn’t want to be too drastic to start with!

While I was sorting, I also tried to figure out what types and styles of clothing I felt most comfortable in and looked the best on my body type. I tried to narrow down what I liked to wear, and figure out my own personal style.

I determined that my style is a mix of classic and romantic. I love layering sweaters and tank tops, ruffles, feminine scarves, and jeans. I knew that picking a wardrobe that fit my lifestyle was also important. (I’m a mama and live in the cold, north.) So based on that, I looked for trouser or boot cut jeans, pretty scarves, nice plain t-shirts, fake pearls, skirts that transition from snow to 80 degrees, and nice sweaters. A lot of that was already in my closet, I just had to get rid of all the extras so I could see my style more clearly in what I already had!

What I Like about My Minimalist Wardrobe

My minimalist dressing experiment has been a huge time saver for me. Instead of struggling to figure out an outfit, I know I can go to my wardrobe and pull almost any top and bottom and it will (at least theoretically) coordinate and look nice on me.

Having a set color palette that I like and know I’ll wear has saved me time when I go shopping or thrifting! I focus on the sections that have “my” colors—and ignore the rest.

It has also helped me limit how many pieces of clothing I have—I am not tempted to have a sweater in each of my favorite colors; instead I just limit it to “my best colors”.

How to Create a Minimalist Style Wardrobe

If you decide you want to change your wardrobe around and try out some minimalist dressing ideas of your own, here’s a couple tips for you that I’ve learned along the way.

Creating Your Minimalist Wardrobe doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.

Don’t be discouraged thinking that it will lots of money or that you have to throw everything out and start from scratch!

Remember, it does not all have to be done “right now”. Take your time and replace pieces of your wardrobe as you can afford to or as you find them.

I shopped at a lot of thrift stores over time, and I kept my eyes open at retail stores and on eBay for good deals on brands I knew I liked.

Make a list of how you would like your wardrobe to look, and then start crossing off what you already have. Keep your eyes open and before you know it, you’ll have a wardrobe you love.

You don’t have to be a pro to build a minimalist wardrobe

I don’t have any “professional” qualifications for writing this. I just started experimenting and figuring out how minimalist dressing worked for me in various seasons of my life. Experimenting is the best way to figure out what works for you! Try things on. Read books and look at pictures.

I’ve picked it up through various blogs and fashion wardrobe books that I’ve read over the years. One website that has really inspired me is The Small Notebook, especially these posts:

Need More inspiration?

Here is a Polyvore “Example of a Minimalist Wardrobe” based on my chosen colors (black, gray, denim, aqua, lavender and white/cream). Using polyvore is a great tool to figure out some outfit ideas to shop for!

About the Author

Erin L. is a wife and mother of three in Michigan. She enjoys coffee, thrift store/garage sale shopping (especially when she can do it with friends!), chocolate, reading and spending time with her family, but not in that order!

Comments

Wonderful inspiration! I recently went through my dresser and removed the maternity clothes and swapped out my regular clothes, but I was ruthless. Still a long way from having anything decent to wear in public, but it’s better. I love the polyvore pins on pinterest, just have no idea how to do that or wear to find things.

Love it. Thanks for inspiring us, Erin. I’ve read the no brainer wardrobe series and although I’ve been dressing better, the closet is still clogged with unused clothes. Time to dung out the stuff I know I don’t love anymore…

I always find myself “just getting something” so that I won’t end up wearing my PJ’s all day. I’ve been reading little bits here and there and have started pinning on Pinterest items that I find that I love. NOW, all I have to do is figure out how to put this into practice while 7 months pregnant, with a new baby and, hopefully, drastic weight loss in the not-too-distant future. Any ideas?

*laughing as I sit here in a pair of maternity sweatpants and stretched-out t-shirt* No no, I don’t always put my ideas into practice. 🙂
I am not sure I am very qualified to write about this topic. I mostly just wear t-shirts and jeans/dress pants while I’m pregnant. This time I’m trying to add in some scarves and fun necklaces/bracelets, and keep new clothing additions to my color scheme mentioned above.
Alicia, are you trying to put this together for your current pregnancy wardrobe, or your post-baby wardrobe?

I was more thinking post baby. I (unlike most others I gather) LOVE how maternity clothes fit me! I have a hard time finding regular clothes that fit well and suit my shape. I’m extremely short (barely 5’3″) have a long torso and very short legs (even petite sizes are usually an inch or so too long). To add to all that I’m definitely on the chubby side. So, thus my troubles.

I’m trying to make up a post-baby wardrobe too, though I’m afraid I don’t really have many ideas.

Except for that I found that all the maternity pants I grew out of (all of them within one week!) at 7 months fit me well post-baby, and what was before panels to accomodate big belly now have a wonderful hold in effect =)

Post-baby dressing can be tricky!! (Tho’ I’m no expert here….) I tend to wear my maternity pants for a little while, because they look pretty normal and they give me room to “shrink” without falling off/having to switch to a different size pants. Once you figure out what style and colors and such you want to add to your new wardrobe, you could start accumulating accessories (if you want to use them) and tops/sweaters. These tend to be easier to find at thrift-stores or if you buy them new, they tend to be cheaper–so if you buy them in the size you are after Baby, it isn’t so painful to replace them again after you’ve lost your baby weight. Does that make any sense or am I being confusing? :-/ And maybe find some “bottoms” for a good price in your current size. Just try to make sure that everything you buy fits into your new “wardrobe parameters” even if you aren’t planning on wearing it for more than a few months.
And some things will span a couple of sizes–the bright-blue shirt I posted in the top center of the Polyvore is from Apricot Apparel. I have two of them, and really like them! They stretch amazingly well, but don’t seem to stretch out. I think they would work through at least two, if not more, sizes (and they would be great for long-waisted ladies!). Also, a lot of cardigans would span at least two sizes, especially some of the newer styles that are “flowy” (if that fits into your preferred style of clothing).
This is all I can think of at the moment…I don’t know if it is very helpful, or what you are looking for?